The Denver Nuggets are officially rolling along in the offseason, as ESPN's Shams Charania drops the news of the Nuggets reaching an agreement to bring back Tyus Jones on a one-year deal. The Nuggets are like Santa Claus right now, but instead of crossing off names from their list, it's the areas they had identified as needing to address during the offseason. With Jones, that need is ball control.
The Nuggets were getting crushed by the Timberwolves pressure in the first round of the playoffs, and Nuggets head coach David Adelman turned to the Nuggets' last addition to the roster, a player acquired on a buyout in his 11th NBA season, Jones, to help out.
It's the primary thing Jones is known for, and it's good to see that the Nuggets will have a capable veteran to back up Jamal Murray next year after they declined the team option for backup point guard Jalen Pickett. Jones barely turns the ball over and is smart with his decisions as the primary ball handler. Jones has averaged 20.6 minutes per game in his career, but has committed just 0.8 turnovers.
Jones made a big impact against the Timberwovles
Jones didn't really do a whole lot and wasn't given much of a chance to play for the Nuggets, aside from garbage time and when the starters sat out for rest to end the season. But when he was given a chance against the Timberwolves in games and moments that actually mattered, Jones did really well.
Jones spent 30 minutes on the floor in the playoffs, with the bulk of those minutes coming in Games 5 and 6, and he never turned the ball over once, and he had 5 assists. Coach Adelman liked what he saw out of Jones, and it's good to see him back over Pickett. The Nuggets have a history of not playing the young players, and Jones' veteran status clearly makes that a non-issue.
The Nuggets took care of two needs with two deals
Jones joins Marvin Bagley III as the Nuggets free agent signings to start the offseason, and both of them have crossed off a need on the Nuggets list. With Jones, it was ball control. With Bagley, it's his athleticism and versatility in the paint. Two for two.
But Nuggets fans need to remember to temper our expectations about both of these signings. They are somewhat lottery tickets, and the Nuggets were able to sign them on a minimum salary contract for a reason. But if both of them play to the Nuggets' expectations, then both players should work out well in 2026-27 for the value.
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